New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured the extradition of two fugitives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including a key accused in a ₹2,672-crore bank fraud case.
Kamlesh Parekh, a promoter of the Kolkata-based Shree Ganesh Jewellery House (I) Ltd., was arrested by the CBI immediately after his arrival in Delhi on May 1. As a promoter of the company, he was allegedly involved in cheating a consortium of 25 banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI).
According to the CBI, Parekh, in conspiracy with other promoters and directors, facilitated the diversion of bank funds through a network of overseas entities and business activities, including in the UAE. He allegedly managed export-related operations and financial transactions using fraudulent practices such as manipulation of records and misuse of banking channels.
The agency had registered the case in 2016 and filed a chargesheet on December 31, 2022. Parekh had been absconding since then, leading to an open-ended non-bailable warrant in 2019 and an Interpol Red Notice in 2024. UAE authorities detained him based on the notice before extraditing him to India.
In a related development on the same day, another accused, Aalok Kumar alias Yashpal Singh, was extradited from the UAE and arrested by Haryana Police upon his arrival in Mumbai. He was wanted in a case of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and use of forged documents to procure passports.
The CBI stated that Aalok Kumar was a key conspirator in a racket that helped individuals with criminal backgrounds obtain Indian passports using fabricated identities and addresses. A Red Notice was issued at the request of Haryana Police, leading to his location and arrest in the UAE.
The CBI highlighted that coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs, Union Home Ministry, and law enforcement agencies have resulted in the return of more than 150 wanted criminals to India in recent years through Interpol channels.
